Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 7 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in Athens and Oconee:
 Getty Images via Canva |
1. Take them out for a special meal in Athens
Here are some of our favorite Athens-owned restaurants:
- The Place - 229 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
- Saucehouse BBQ - 830 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30601
- Groove Burgers - 1791 Oconee Connector #510, Athens, GA 30606
- Cali N Titos - 1427 S Lumpkin St Athens, GA 30605 and 1245 Cedar Shoals Dr, Athens, GA 30605
- Chops & Hops - 2 S Main St #112, Watkinsville, GA 30677
2. Go for a walk in the woods in Athens
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails in Athens:
- Sandy Creek Nature Center (several trails available, including an ADA accessible boardwalk trail)
- Dudley Park (access two major multi-use paved trails from Dudley Park - the North Oconee Greenway and the Firefly Trail. The park is directly behind Mama's Boy on Broad St)
- Ben Burton Park (features a 1.4 mile pedestrian trail that traverses upland forest and the Middle Oconee riverside)
3. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in Athens being silly together.
 Getty Images via Canva |
4. Let your child share one of their favorite places in Athens
Does your child have a favorite Athens trampoline park, amusement park, or Athens playground? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Your children, in turn, will probably love to tour Grandma and Grandpa around their favorite place in Athens. Here are four fun spots in Athens:
- The Alice H Richards Children's Garden
- Memorial Park (Don't forget Bear Hollow Zoo)
- Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Spark at Ann Peden (On Grandparents' Day make string art with a grandparent at Spark)
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places in Athens
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity in Athens that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Plan a picnic in Athens
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are a few great spots in Athens for a family picnic:
- UGA's North Campus (park downtown and take a stroll through UGA's beautiful North Campus)
- Ben Burton Park (a 32-acre wildlife preserve with several picnic tables and charcoal grills)
- State Botanical Garden of Georgia
- College Square Plaza (This area downtown features picnic tables, standard hexagonal tables, and ADA-accessible hexagonal tables for use by the public)
7. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are ten great Athens-owned ice cream places we love: https://athens.macaronikid.com/articles/60bfa14d9919e34473e1f7cc/our-favorite-10-ice-cream-shops-in-athens%2C-ga
